Smart Grid Blog

QNX Software Systems, a Harman International (NYSE:HAR) company, today unveiled its new smart energy reference, a pre-integrated software stack that makes it easier to design, deploy, and extend smart-home energy management systems.

The smart energy reference provides out-of-the-box support for Zigbee sensors, Insteon home area networks (HANs), streaming IP video cameras for security monitoring, an application for calculating costs of energy consumption, and Internet connectivity for retrieving weather information and performing remote control and diagnostics. Other features include zone temperature controls, individual and zone light controls, and appliance monitoring and control.

via QNX Unveils Reference Design for Smart-Home Energy Management Systems.

Digi International has unveiled a smart energy gateway which it claims is the first to seamlessly connect ZigBee Smart Energy certified devices before or with Smart Meter deployments.

The ConnectPort X2 connects certified ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a home area network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband. According to Digi, it is the industry’s first gateway that connects, controls, or gathers data from ZigBee Smart Energy devices equally well before or with Smart Meter deployments.

via ‘Industry first’ smart energy gateway claims Digi.

Digi International (DGII 9.56, +0.11, +1.16%) and SolarEdge today announced their collaboration on full connectivity solutions for photovoltaic (PV) systems, including data harvesting from revenue-grade power meters, PV inverter mesh networking and future interaction with the Smart Grid.

via SolarEdge and Digi International Collaborate on a Full Connectivity Solution for Photovoltaic Systems – MarketWatch.

With so many smart meters being installed and smart appliances in development, how are they going to talk? A handy new wireless controller could help them speak the same language, and tell you what they’re thinking.

BuLogics, a Philadelphia-based company started by two Drexel University electrical engineering grads, recently introduced their Smart Grid Home Controller.

via Smart Grid Comes Home Wirelessly : Discovery News.

ConnectPort X2 from Digi International is a ZigBee Smart Energy certified gateway that easily connects certified ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a Home Area Network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband.

ConnectPort X2 is the industry’s first gateway that connects, controls, or gathers data from ZigBee Smart Energy devices equally well before or with Smart Meter deployments.

via EEProductCenter.com :: ConnectPort X2 connects ZigBee Smart Energy devices with Smart Meter deployments.

Landis+Gyr announced the release of the Gridstream? PLC (TS2) module for the FOCUS® AX advanced meter. This new module for PLC networks allows utilities to select optional features such as ZigBee® RF to communicate with home area network devices.

via Landis+Gyr Announces Commercial Availablity of Gridstream PLC Communications for the FOCUS AX Single Phase Meter | SYS-CON MEDIA.

The Aztech In-Home Display has earned ZigBee’s Smart Energy certification. The device connects wirelessly to most smart meters and helps utilities to reach their conservation goals. Aztech is a leading provider of energy conservation and demand management products for the home, is pleased to announce that its In-Home Display has achieved

via Aztech Device Earns Smart Energy Certification.

Smart grid development continued to pick up momentum in 2010.  The new year promises to be the biggest yet for the young industry.  Big industrialists introduced new products and technologies in January.

Last month GE announced it was introducing a new energy information panel in partnership with OpenPeak, an expert in communications technology.  The new device is able to wirelessly communicate with smart meters, smart appliances, and other ZigBee or Wi-Fi enabled devices.  The smart panel keeps the energy consumer informed about fluctuating energy prices throughout the day so adjustments can be made accordingly.

via Looks like another big year for the smart grid.

Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII) today introduced the ConnectPort(R) X2 for Smart Energy gateway. It is a ZigBee Smart Energy certified gateway that easily connects certified ZigBee Smart Energy devices from a Home Area Network (HAN) to an energy service provider via broadband. It is the industry’s first gateway that connects, controls, or gathers data from ZigBee Smart Energy devices equally well before or with Smart Meter deployments. When a Smart Meter is present the gateway can make meter information immediately available to any energy management application. As part of iDigi(TM) Energy, energy service providers can use the ConnectPort X2 for Smart Energy and iDigi platform to easily integrate thermostats, smart meters, in-home displays, load controllers and other ZigBee Smart Energy devices into complete energy management systems.

via Digi Introduces An Industry First Smart Energy Gateway — MINNETONKA, Minn., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire-Asia/ –.

Cooper Power Systems has announced that its demand response thermostat is now a ZigBee Smart Energy-Certified product. The certification validates the device’s communication via the global wireless standard, allowing utilities to talk to thermostats installed in residential and commercial environments via ZigBee Smart Energy home area networks, including AMI meters.

via Cooper Power Receives ZigBee Certification for Demand Response Solution.

Control4 has unveiled a Zigbee-enabled thermostat with a touchscreen interface that allows its users to view energy data and help minimize energy consumption by controlling the devices that consume the most power.

via Control4 Debuts Energy Management System 100 At CES 2010 – Ecofriend.

Intel has unveiled its latest Home Automation System that runs on the company’s energy-efficient Atom processor and features a large 11” touch-sensitive OLED display. The OLED panel is expected to be developed by Sony.

via Intel’s Atom-powered Home Automation System Helps Save Energy – Ecofriend.

An in-home, multi-function energy information panel has been launched by GE providing its customers with insight and control allowing them to manage their energy consumption and costs. The user-friendly, touch-screen panel has a wireless connection to a home’s smart meter, appliances and thermostats, via ZigBee or Wi-Fi, to collect information, manage consumption and supply real-time data resulting in better energy options.

via US : GE Provides Consumers With Their Power Profile – General news news.

GE (NYSE: GE) is introducing an in-home, multi-function energy information panel that will give consumers insight and control to help them manage energy usage and understand costs. The sleek, touch-screen panel will wirelessly connect to a household’s smart meter, appliances and thermostats, via ZigBee or Wi-Fi, to gather information, manage usage and deliver the real-time knowledge that empowers smarter energy choices.

via GE Smart Home-Energy Panel Tells Consumers What’s Happening with Their Power Profile.

OpenPeak Inc., a leading provider of VoIP multimedia touch-screen device and telephony systems, announced today that its OpenFrame® 7E VoIP multimedia home energy management and communications platform has achieved ZigBee Smart Energy Certification by the ZigBee® Alliance.

via OpenFrame 7E MultiMedia Home Energy Management Device Achieves ZigBee Alliance Smart Energy Certification.